Nice and Antibes – The Gateway to Provence
Your journey begins where the azure Mediterranean sparkles in the sun and old-world charm lingers in the air: Nice.
Here, you pick up your rental car and quickly leave the city’s pulse behind, following a coastal road that winds like a brushstroke along the water. The road hugs the cliffs and opens up to small harbors where pine trees cast shadows over the sea.
Antibes welcomes you with timeless elegance. The narrow streets of the old town lead down to shimmering coves, and on Thursday and Saturday mornings, Cours Masséna fills with lavender, fresh cheeses, and olive oils under shaded awnings.
Staying here for one night lets you feel the Mediterranean breathe slowly, as the evening sun paints the facades in honey-colored tones.
Inland: Art, Cobblestones, and Vence
After a morning stroll along the walls of Antibes, the journey continues inland.
The road gently climbs through valleys where cypress trees reach toward the sky, and each turn reveals glimpses of old stone houses and blooming terraces.
In Vence, you encounter a different rhythm — a town where cobblestone lanes twist between art galleries, small cafés, and fragrant orange gardens.
From here, it's only minutes to Saint-Paul de Vence — a medieval gem where artists, vineyards, and narrow alleys offer one of the most beautiful experiences of the trip.
You spend the night in Vence, wrapped in the town’s tranquility, perfectly positioned to catch the first scents of lavender — because soon, landscapes await where blue-violet fields stretch as far as the eye can see.
The Realm of Lavender Fields: Onward to Aix-en-Provence
As you leave Vence, the road rolls westward through the Var district’s vineyards and flowering plains.
Between late June and mid-July, the area around the Valensole plateau transforms into a shimmering sea of lavender, where the fields ripple in blue and purple, and the scent hangs like a soft mist over the landscape.
Here you may detour through Valensole — perfect for experiencing the lavender up close, stopping to take photos among the fields, or buying lavender honey and soap from small roadside stalls.
Soon you reach Aix-en-Provence, where fountains whisper in shaded alleys and the markets smell of spices, leather, and sun-warmed fruit.
Here you wander between cobblestone streets and historic facades while cicadas sing in the afternoon heat.
Beyond the Beaten Path: The Hidden Villages of Luberon
From Aix, small roads lead into Luberon, a landscape bursting with color and fragrance.
Here, among villages like Gordes, Bonnieux, and Roussillon, smaller lavender fields stretch out from the towns, often framed by olive trees and old stone houses.
In Gordes, where the houses cling to the cliffside, market stalls unfold every Tuesday with linen clothing, tomatoes, and lavender wreaths.
In Roussillon, the facades glow in shades of ochre, and the winding alleys lead to small cafés where time seems to stand still.
If you travel here between late June and mid-July, every small road invites you to stop the car, step out, and wander along fields vibrating with lavender’s color and scent.
The Weight of Time: Avignon and the Roman Footprints
The road continues north across plains and vineyards until Avignon’s massive walls rise toward the sky.
Old streets lead through shaded passages to the silhouette of the Papal Palace, carrying centuries of history.
On Saturday mornings, Les Halles — the city’s indoor market — bursts into life, filled with cheeses, lavender, bread, and sun-ripened tomatoes in a kaleidoscope of colors and aromas.
Near Avignon awaits Pont du Gard, the mighty Roman aqueduct spanning the Gardon River.
Here you can swim beneath the towering arches and feel history linger in the cool water.
Back to the Riviera: One Last Evening in Nice
The journey comes full circle by the sea.
The coastal roads bring you back to Nice, where you enjoy one final evening strolling along the Promenade des Anglais, feeling the warm Mediterranean breeze on your skin.
Perhaps you end with a dinner in the Old Town, where the scents of lemon, basil, and grilled dishes drift through the mild night air.
Here, where sea and sky meet, you conclude your journey through Provence — with your heart full of colors, fragrances, and slow-winding roads.
When Markets Call
For those who love markets, Provence is a never-ending celebration of scents and colors. Here are a few days to keep in mind:
Tuesday: Gordes – a charming small market among cobblestone streets.
Thursday: Antibes – full of fresh fruit and lavender products.
Saturday: Aix-en-Provence and Avignon – large, lively markets.
Sunday: L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue – an antique market along waterways and bridges.
Tip:
Market days may vary depending on season, holidays, and local events — don’t forget to double-check current times before your visit.
Practical tips for the trip
- Best time to travel: May to October.
- Want to experience the lavender fields?
Travel between late June and mid-July, when the fields in Valensole and Luberon are at their most beautiful. - Rental car: Choose a small model — perfect for narrow villages and country roads.
- Fuel: Fill up in larger towns; petrol stations can be scarce in rural areas.
- Driving style: Small roads require patience and enjoyment — expect longer travel times and plenty of spontaneous stops.
The rental car is not included in the trip price. We recommend booking it before departure so you can pick it up and drop it off at the airport.
Driving distances between destinations
Distances in Provence are short enough that every drive feels like part of the adventure.
There are no long transport stretches here — only beautiful roads winding through lavender fields and vineyards.
From Nice to Antibes it’s just a half-hour coastal drive, and from there up to Vence takes just under forty minutes.
The journey from Vence to Aix-en-Provence is longer but leads through landscapes of vineyards and pine trees — allow about two hours on the road.
Between Aix and the Luberon villages, such as Gordes and Roussillon, it’s no more than an hour, and from Aix to Avignon takes roughly the same.
The final stage, from Avignon back to Nice, is the longest of the trip — but just over two and a half hours offers a peaceful moment to reflect on the week before the sea once again appears on the horizon.
A package tour and a linked arrangement offer travellers different booking processes but provide the same protection under the Package Travel Act, ensuring customer rights and peace of mind during the trip.
